BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kandice is the Founder and Executive Director of the Alive Not-for-profit Center in Naperville, Illinois. The first organization of its kind, Alive aims to provide the community with an inclusive experience of learning, sharing, and discovery that enables people to connect with what makes them come alive.  From the merger with NaperBridge in January of 2015, Alive will have an even stronger teen program. 

Kandice is a Life Coach and Certified Yoga Teacher (CYT). After spending 25+ years as an executive in the corporate world at Accenture and IBM, she is now following her true passion – helping people to create the life they desire. Kandice is a graduate of Life Coaching school, Coach for Life. She also is a certified Heal Your Life Workshop Leader (Louise Hay’s work). She has her 200hr CYT from Moksha Yoga in Chicago and is currently obtaining her 500hr CYT through ParaYoga (Rod Stryker). She has a B.A. in Communications from the University of Illinois. 

Tina and her husband reside in Naperville. Both of their two adult children are employed and reside in warmer climates.

Devoted to community service, Scott previously served as the vice president on the NextGen board for the DuPage Children’s Museum before his involvement with the ALIVE Center. In 2020, he proudly contributed gaming PCs to equip the ALIVE Center’s computer lab.

Beyond his professional commitments, Scott, along with his wife Jill, cherishes the adventures they plan with their six children—embracing both the significant and everyday moments.

Edward has been a proud resident of Aurora’s Far Southeast side since 2004, when he and his wife had their home built. Engaging actively within the community, Edward has dedicated his time to various local organizations. In 2013, he was elected Alderman of Aurora’s Ninth Ward and successfully secured re-election in 2017 and 2021.

Adam has been an integral part of the Hanover Park community since joining Wintrust Bank in 2013. Raised in Chicago as the son of first-generation Mexican and Polish immigrant parents, his upbringing in the city enriched his understanding of diversity and the unique needs of various cultural groups. Following his graduation from UIC with a degree in Finance, Adam relocated to the Northwest Suburbs, where he began his career in the banking sector. In the aftermath of the 2009 recession, he shifted his focus towards financial literacy and counseling within the community.

Over the past 19 years, Chris has been dedicated to helping individuals achieve their most critical financial goals. In 1999, he initiated his financial services practice, catering to business owners, physicians, professional athletes, and key executives across the United States. Chris specializes in Life Insurance, Disability Income Insurance, Investments, and Tax Reduction Strategies.

Karina is the first female President & CEO of the Aurora Regional Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She is also the first to be born outside of the United States and to become a Naturalized U.S. citizen. Mrs. Garcia is the owner of two local businesses. She is  the President of A&A Transportation 1 Inc., a growing transportation business in the construction industry and a business partner of CBG Renovators, an LLC real estate rehab corporation dedicated to purchasing and rehabilitating real estate. 

Born in Mexico City, at age 9, Karina was brought by her parents to the state of Illinois, which soon became the American Dream. Mrs. Garcia has always been an active member of her community. In 1995, she began to volunteer her time to the community and translate letters and take people to appointments to translate for them.  Mrs. Garcia served as a volunteer at World Relief, and at Accion Latina where she would teach U.S. residents the U.S.A. Constitution who were getting prepared to be tested to become U.S. citizens. The same year she started attending DePaul University for training in the immigration procedure. Mrs. Garcia served four years as a volunteer for the Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce(AHCC) and was named Volunteer of the Year for two consecutive years in 2009 and in 2010 by the members of the AHCC. Mrs. Garcia has participated in “Toys for Tots”, “Matching Pallet” with the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry and Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, “Pampering our Woman” with Mutual Grounds, “LockUp” with the Aurora Puerto Rican Cultural Council and “Girls Run the World” with the Aurora Police Department.  Mrs. Garcia sat on the Advisory Board of the Interfaith Food Pantry, Board Member of the AHCC, Board Member of the Family Shelter Services, current Board Member of the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry, current board member of the Aurora Puerto Rican Council, current board member of the APS Training Institute and current committee member of the Miss Fiestas Patrias DuPage. In 2014, Mrs. Garcia participated as an author in the first Today’s Inspired Latina Book where she shared her success story and now is a nationwide book.  

In her role as President & CEO, Mrs. Garcia focuses her time on the many issues affecting the Hispanic community. An unwavering characteristic of the President & CEO is her aptitude for showing caring and understanding in all that she does. Mrs. Garcia spends much of her time meeting with entrepreneurs, young professionals and business owners who come from all over the west suburbs. One of her recent achievements was meeting with a group of young professionals in Aurora to discuss the needs of our millennials and how she can cultivate resources that are needed.  Over the past five years she’s been invited to the schools to speak about her career and achievements, has also participated as a guest speaker at the “Multicultural Career Language” with West Aurora High School and was also invited to be “Principal for a Day” at Dist. 129, as well as with Girls Scouts of America, Mutual Grounds.

Mrs. Garcia was also the President & CEO for the non-for-profit  Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Dollars for Scholars(AHCCDFS) – a Program of Scholarship America, where she was the founder of Miss Fiestas Patrias Aurora and was able to give out more that $60K in scholarships in partnership with board members, St. Augustine College and the Aurora Hispanic Heritage Advisory Board. Karina was awarded by the AHCCDFS and by St. Augustine College for her outstanding support offered to both organizations. Mrs. Garcia launched a network called Mujeres in Business were they would meet once a month to promote women’s empowerment and each other’s product, they have brainstorm sessions, panelist, motivational stories of success and an annual Mujeres in Business Luncheon to award “Woman Who Have Lead by Example.” After several events the group grew to be the largest diverse network of women, which led Mrs. Garcia to shift the branding of the network to the next level. Knowing that this group had turned into the largest diverse group of women, to make it more inclusive and open for other opportunities for women, the name changed to International Women of Influence.

My commitment extends to advocating for inclusivity and accessibility, as evidenced by my role as a Board Member on the City of Naperville Advisory Commission on Disabilities since 2012. Serving on the City of Naperville Special Events Committee, CAPS (Citizens Appreciate Public Safety), and the Naperville Healing Fields, I actively contribute to enhancing community engagement and appreciation for public safety.

In 2006, I played a significant role in the Centennial Beach 75th and Naperville Park District 40th Anniversary Aquathon Committee. Additionally, I co-chaired the Electric Light Parade as part of the Naperville 175th Birthday Heritage Committee. My involvement in the Naperville 175th Birthday Unity Committee as an area captain further showcases my dedication to community unity.

Having served as the President of the Westside Homeowners Association from 2002 to 2005, I demonstrated leadership and advocacy for local residents. As a director for the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation in 2004-2005, I contributed to broader community initiatives.

My engagement spans various community groups and committees, including the Washington St. Corridor Study stakeholder group, Downtown DuPage River Trail stakeholder group, Centennial Park Skate Park Facility citizen committee, and the City of Naperville Comprehensive Transportation Plan work group, all in 2003. My commitment to community building is further highlighted by my role as a founding and current Board Member of Community First since 2000.

Beyond community development, I actively participate in environmental initiatives, being a Conservation Foundation member and an annual participant in the DuPage River Sweep. Additionally, I contribute to the legacy of Naperville North High School as part of the Class of 1983 Reunion Committee.

My multifaceted involvement underscores my dedication to Naperville’s growth, inclusivity, and overall well-being. I look forward to continued service and collaboration for the betterment of our community.

Beyond his professional achievements, Paul is driven by a strong desire to give back to the community. In 2008, he founded LEADZ, a 501(c)3 organization committed to local philanthropy. Leading the charge for LEADZ’s second chapter in Naperville, Paul successfully raised significant funds locally and created a platform for local businesses to volunteer and flourish.

Paul’s commitment extends to board and leadership roles, where he actively contributes to multiple private sector, chamber, and not-for-profit boards. As a former Rotarian, he embodies the principle of “service above self.”

At the core of Paul’s identity is his role as a family man. Recently becoming a father to a baby girl, he anticipates the new rewards and challenges that parenthood will bring. In shaping his daughter’s worldview, Paul aims to impart the wisdom: “Not to try to fix whatever comes in your life. Fix yourself in such a way that whatever comes, you will be fine” – Sadhguru.

Currently, as the Executive Director at the Pellicano Family Foundation, a philanthropic venture founded by her and her husband Vic in 2022 after Oracle acquired his tech company, Bex is deeply dedicated to community development and philanthropy. In her role, she leads initiatives focused on empowering underprivileged individuals and families by providing access to education, healthcare, and essential resources.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Bex allocates a substantial amount of her time to raising her four boys, imparting the same values that have guided her own journey. She firmly believes that a strong community is built on the foundation of a strong family, and she actively works to create a nurturing environment for her children.

Driven by a passion for giving back, Bex engages in active volunteer work within the local community, participating in various projects and programs aimed at addressing social issues and promoting equality. Her commitment to service has garnered respect and admiration, showcasing her authentic desire to enhance the lives of those around her.

 For over 30 years, Alisa has served all demographics of youth in grades K-12 throughout Fox Valley. Her passion is for middle and high school students, providing ministry, mentoring, and leadership training in various local churches, nonprofit organizations and through her own nonprofit, Envision You Ministries (EYM) which she founded in 2018. EYM serves fathers, women, and girls with the Abba Group, and the Beauty and Boot Camp. Alisa is employed at Ecolab and recently celebrated 20 years of service. She has worked in various capacities including Credit & AMP; Collections Management, Project Management,
Training, and Sales Administration. At Ecolab, Alisa has also served on the board of multiple Employee Resource Groups, promoting diversity throughout the nation. However, her most satisfying work was helping expand Ecolab’s reach to the local
community through its Community Relations Council. This is how she was introduced to the ALIVE Center many years ago. The “Teen-Led, Teen-Driven™” tag line caused her to connect, attend, and volunteer (and bring others to volunteer) with the organization.
Alisa’s educational background is from Lewis University in Romeoville where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management and a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership, with an emphasis in Training. As an avid learner, she most
recently completed the Living Word Christian Center’s School of Ministry in Forest Park, IL where she earned her Ministry
License. Alisa and her husband Charles, reside in Aurora, IL.